Fitzclarence, Wilhelmina, The Countess of Munster. GHOSTLY TALES. Hutchinson & Co., London, 1896.
Price: US$1500.00 + shipping
Description: Octavo, pp. [1-8] 1-320 [note: first leaf is a blank], sixteen inserted plates with illustrations by Fred Hyland, original decorated sage green cloth, front panel stamped in red and gold, spine panel stamped in gold, all edges untrimmed. An important late Victorian collection of ghost stories similar to those of Mrs. Baldwin and Mrs. Molesworth. "A rare collection of high quality Victorian ghost stories, which seems several decades ahead of its time. Fitzclarence's ghost stories are usually more swiftly paced than those of her contemporaries and this, coupled with a plain and direct writing style, have allowed the tales to retain their interest and bear reexamination by new generations of readers. Several of the author's stories have been revived by anthologists such as Hugh Lamb looking for powerful but less familiar supernatural material." - Wilson, Shadows in the Attic, p. 219. According to Robert Knowlton, the stories are "quite nicely written." Not in Bleiler (1948; 1978) or Reginald (1979; 1992). Inked name and date to front free end paper, end papers tanned, tanning to page edges, front hinge cracked, foxing to prelims, corners soft and rubbed, edges and spine ends rubbed with some fraying at the base. A solid very good copy. Uncommon. (30777)
Seller: John W. Knott, Jr, Bookseller, ABAA/ILAB, Laurel, MD, U.S.A.